Shu-Ju Wang

Portland, Oregon, USA

True as Earth, Strong as Water

The book contains 5 Solarplate photographic etchings on handmade papers by Helen Hiebert as well as numerous Gocco prints on Nepal Heavyweight and Taiwan Mulberry papers. The Helen Hiebert papers each contains soil from the South Dakota farm, the Oregon farm, water from the Pacific Ocean, the Willamette River and the Columbia River.

8 ⅛ x 4 ¾ x ⅝ inches (closed), 130 (open)

edition size: 26 © 2011

$700

True as Earth, Strong as Water is the 5th in a series of books from Shu-Ju Wang’s Relay Replay Press, dedicated to working with the elderly who are suffering from various stages and forms of memory loss.

This is the story of Arnold E. Metz, who grew up on a farm in South Dakota and served during World War II on the USS President Hayes. He completed his education after the war, graduating from Northern State University (Aberdeen, South Dakota), and had a long educational career in Michigan and South Dakota. Shu-Ju Wang has captured this life through etchings, handmade paper, and a few words.

Shu-Ju Wang: While he was not able to participate hands-on in creating this book, his physical presence can be found throughout. Whenever available or possible, his handwritten notes, drawings and letters were used in creating the images for the book; In addition, photographs supplied by friends and family were also included.

Shu-Ju Wang born and raised in Taiwan, and trained as an engineer, Shu-Ju Wang settled in Oregon after stays in Saudi Arabia, California, and New Jersey. In 2000, she left engineering to become a full time artist.